Hopkins Extension: Win-Win for WR and Cardinals

Background: Aug 28, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (center) with Larry Fitzgerald (right) and Chandler Jones during Red & White Practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas

Well with this sweet tweet from Adam Schefter via the RapSheet all of WR DeAndre Hopkins’ contract questions have been answered—-and it’s very good news for him and the Cardinals:

@AdamSchefter Cardinals and WR DeAndre Hopkins are now wrapping up a contract extension, as @RapSheet said. It’s a two-year extension that includes $42.5 million fully guaranteed, and ties Hopkins to Arizona for five years at $94 million - an $18.8 million per-year average.

A Win for Hopkins:

• The key figure is $42.5M guaranteed—-which exceeds the $39M remaining on the three years of his existing contract, plus he garnered an added $55M for the 2 year extension.
• According to Josina Anderson, Hopkins “will see $29M, year 1. $42.75M through year 2 and $60.05M through year 3.”
• He was able to get a “no franchise tag” clause once his deal expires.
• His “no trade” clause shows his eagerness to stay in Arizona for the duration of his deal.

A Win for the Cardinals:

• $18.8M a year over the 5 years of his contract.
• The “no-trade clause” ensures the Cardinals that he won’t ask for another contract.
• The Cardinals are able to pair Kyler Murray with DeAndre Hopkins for the next 5 years.

Kudos to DeAndre Hopkins for representing himself in the contract negotiations and for manifesting a level of respect and appreciation to the Cardinals for making the trade to acquire him. He got the guaranteed money he was looking for and, at the same time, he allowed the Cardinals added cap flexibility in order to make a run for the confetti.